big john

Careful there, if you are entered in a competition, you are technically competing until you "sign off" at the end of the event. That is why some events offer 3rd party competition cover for the road. It is a broadly similar policy to that offered to rally drivers driving between stages on the highway. Big John

You haven't fitted the piston rings "upside down" by any chance? Big John

My friend had one up until recently, he could put a bike in at a forty five degree angle and lash it down with two ratchet straps. Big John

Here is a little something I spotted on You Tube, just for the Bultaco fan! It's a short documentary about Hugh Weaver of Hugh's Bultaco in the old US of A! Dedicated to the late Jim Pomeroy. Enjoy... Big John

I'm not having a go at any bike rack manufacturer in particular. However, I stopped using a bike rack to transport trials bikes several years ago. I felt that the leverage effect could only cause one thing, metal fatigue! I went back to hauling a trailer, OK the speed is limited but I much preferred to tow a bike rather than put so much pressure on the back of a car. I switched to van transport three years ago, which I find is the best transportation of trials bikes...IMHO! Big John

Absolutely right Woody, I was there that evening in the ballroom at the Milton right? If you recall a certain chap also asked why a Sherco had to be kept going with about 100 yards of gaffa tape strapped on it for the SSDT! Malc couldn't understand the statement/question but a few of us twigged what the guy was getting at, waterproofing a modern bike for the Six Days! Malc seemed to have a spot of amnesia that night when it came to the Pre65 right enough!!! Don't get me wrong, Malcolm Rathmell has more trials riding talent in his little finger than I have in my whole body and he has achieved far more than I at the sport of trials. But he couldn't get it on with a Tiger Cub the way he thought he could and that's why he is not at all interested. Big John

Sorry Woody, not quite accurate, Malcolm Rathmell rode a Tiger Cub at the 1985/86? Pre65 Scottish, I have a photograph of him actually riding it in an Off Road Review or something similar. He actually didn't do too well in the Pre65 if my memory serves me well, he certainly didn't win it and you know Malc, he hates to lose! I'm not having a go, but he did ride! Big John

Hi Erikkson, If you are in Kinlochleven on Friday May 2nd then I think you will see the riders at Pipeline. Normally this section is used both days of the Pre-65 trial. However there are 180 riders competing not 318! It depends greatly on which way the riders are going, they start from near to the centre of the town and usually odd numbers go left and even numbers go right creating two loops of riders leaving at minute intervals, two riders at each minute. I am sure that you will be able to see all riders go through Pipeline if you stay there most of the day. Pipeline is about 1.2 miles from the start area and is easy to find. Regards Big John

I'm not a qualified engineer, but does an iron lining not disipate heat better than steel? Hence iron barrels with steel liners? I might be wrong... Big John

Yip, don't see the point of going non standard, fit Newfren shoes and linings (available from Bultaco UK) Rod back brake (not cable); well lubricated pivot points: centralise the brake by pulling the lever on fully when tightening the wheels spindles and as Dabster says long brake arms, all help. One of the best set ups I have ever ridden was Snr. Greeves' 199A model, the back brake was fantastic, no grab and progressive action to slow the plot down most effective. I learned about centralising the brakes from Vic Allan back in 1974. He watched me refit my back wheel and intervened saying "Are you not going to centralise that brake then?" He demonstrated the technique and that's how I learned! Big John

I thought most if not all of them were between 301cc - 306cc? Big John

1st owner George Forbes, Aberdeen. I put Javier in touch with George some time ago, he sent photos of the restoration and a story how he bought the bike etc etc, never got a reply. Some folks don't value the past I suppose! Big John

1979 MacLellan Galleries actually! Brand new bike not even been started! Big John

I still have the one on the left hand side! Big John

This is a very good motorcycle... Endorsed by: Big John

No it wasn't me on no. 245, it's just that it is very like my RTL. I rode in 1977 on a Bultaco. Wish I had rode it on an RTL in the eighties! Yes, just agreed this week to do the breakfast show with David Ogg of Nevis Radio. I'll post a link to the radio feeds nearer the time so that you can tune in on your computers! Big John

Yip not quite a record, last one went for

Here's a couple of 'em.. Big John

Try e-bay! Big John

Hmmm... Yeah, courtesy of Gizza5. here's what the Honda Britain factory bike looked like way back when Paul Edmondston rode the 1985 Six Days on one! Big John

Have a Sherco then? Big problem with the Spanish bikes is the thinness of the plating especially the nipple, hebnce the reason they corrode and look terrible. Especially if you use an acidic based cleaning solution or just don't dry them off after use with an airline and old towel. Eventually they look crap! Unless you know what you are doing, there is always a risk that you will incorrectly tension the wheel and put it out of true. I would advise that you give your wheel to a wheelbuilder and get it really trued up. I have never been happy with wheels and I once tightened a few spokes and before too long realised that I had pulled the wheel over and altered the offset! Big John

Cool! Big John

quote name='swooshdave' date='Jan 24 2008, 06:17 PM' Less talk about the French and sauces and more pictures of Bultacos!!!! Okay man! Big John My 1969 Model 49 (1st series) Thanks to "2fargone" for this very special piece of Lampkin kit!!!

Ahem... Is he making any more to sell? Big John

TFR! Big John